August 30, 2002

Bush administration seeks to shore up Congressional support for campaign against Iraq, even as it tries to head off pressure from Britain and France to work through United Nations before taking any action against Saddam Hussein; Vice Pres Dick Cheney says administration would 'consult widely with our Congress' before deciding whether to go to war; does not make clear whether administration would seek formal vote on authorization of war; seeks to undercut arguments of critics who urge return to United Nations weapons inspections, saying inspectors in past failed to uncover evidence that Iraq was in fact continuing to mass-produce deadly chemical agents; Security Council diplomats say United States has backed away from engaging in Council's pressure on Iraq about inspectors, with American diplomats calling such efforts increasingly fruitless; no other Security Council nations appear ready to give up on inspections process; photos (M)

Royal Ahold reports second-quarter loss of 197.5 million euros ($194 million) in contrast to profit of 323.8 million euros year earlier (S)

Article on boy band 'N Sync member Joey Fatone as he makes his Broadway debut in Rent; Fatone comments on realizing high school dream of acting on Broadway; photos (M)

Committee appointed by Mayor Michael R Bloomberg to study broad changes suggested for New York City Charter reportedly will reject two proposals sought by mayor: to eliminate partisan elections in city and to change rules for mayoral succession (M)

A Change for Stock Options Companies have stopped allowing executives to exercise stock options without putting up their own money. Officials are uncertain whether the action violates a new federal law. BUSINESS DAY, PAGE C1